Stabilizing means for concrete mixers



April 5, 19 32. A, P i N 1,852,436

STABILIZING MEANS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Oct. 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 awumtoz W? W illllrillllvll April 5, 1932. A. P. ROBINSON STABILIZING MEANS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Oct. 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M FF fnl

II' I Elnomtoz W7? ng i-a flbtowm 2m Patented Apr. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR 1P. ROBINSON, OF PLAINFIELID, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN'OR TO RANSOME CON- CRETE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PLAINETIELD, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY STABILIZING MEANS FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Application filed October 24, 1929. Serial No. 402,129.

The present improvements relate, in general, to concrete mixing apparatus and more particularly to means for bracing and stabilizing such apparatus during operation thereof.

A primary object, among others, of the present improvements is to provide a stabilizing means in combination with a portable concrete mixer whereby the mixer may be steadied during use as well as braced to withstand stresses and strains occasioned by operation of the pivoted loading skip. A further object is to provide a device of the character described, in the form of a jack which is readily accessible, forms a part of the mixer and may be easily and speedily set in position for use or concealed away during travel of the apparatus.

Another object of the improvements is to provide a novel stabilizing means wherein a housing is provided on the mixer for freely receiving and relinquishing the brace member, said housing cooperating with the memher in stea dying the mixer. A further object is to provide a telescoping jack in combination with a concrete mixer wherein one member is rigidly fixed to the mixer, while other pivotally connected members are freely movable to operative position or to traveling position with little effort or skill. The. provision of a foldable jack which is operatively connected to the mixer at all times and may be extended or retracted by sliding movement constitutes a further object of the improvements.

Other objects of the improvements will be apparent upon reference to the accompanying specifications and drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective of a concrete mixer embodying the present improvements, some parts being omitted for convenience in illustration;

Fig. 2 is a partial front view of the mixer, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the improved stabilizing means, parts being broken away, illustrating the parts in operative and inoperative position.

Referring to the drawings, the mixer frame 5 is provided with the usual traction means 6 and has the mixing drum 7, loading skip 8 and power unit 9 therefor suitably mounted on the frame. As is usual in this type of apparatus, the drum 7 is of the rotary type, being operated by power from the unit 9, through suitable transmission and clutches, which also provides for elevating and lowering the skip 8. In lower position the skip 8 receives dry aggregates for discharging into the drum and upon elevation of the skip to upper position, the aggregates discharge by gravity into the drum to partake in the mixing operation, whence they may be discharged for placement.

As illustrated. the frame 5 includes a cross member 10 to which, in. the present embodiment, the improved stabilizing means is attached. It will be apparent however that said means may be associated with any part of the frame in any suitable manner for accomplishing the desired results.

Extending transversely of the mixer frame and in a horizontal position is a tubular member 11. This member is rigidly secured to cross member 10 of frame 5 by means of U-bolts .12, suitable filler blocks being interposed between the members 10 and 11. As illustrated in Figure 2 the tubular member 11 extends alone member 10 and terminates adiacent the ends thereof.

The stabilizing jack for use in conjunction with member 11 comprises a pair of rigid members 13 and 14 pivotally connected by a hinge at 15. While the members 13 and 14 are preferably hollow pipe sections it is understood that. they may take other forms. The free end of member 14 has a nut 16 welded or otherwise fixed thereto. in which is disposed the threaded shank 17 having the bearing plate 18. Upon suitable rotation of parts 17 and 18, they may be adjustedinwardly or outwardly with respect to member 14. as desired. The shank 17 is provided with a hole 19 for a purpose hereinafter described. Mcmber 13 is also suitably pro vided with holes 20, while the tubular member 11 is provided with the hole 21, as illustrated.

In order that the mixer may be more readily maneuvered, the front axle 22 has a swivel connection 23 with the frame 5. Further more, the hoist drum 24 for elevating the skip 8 is positioned on the frame to one side of said swivel connection. This hoist drum operates a cable 25, which through pulley 26, drums 27 and cable 28 cooperates to raise and lower the skip. Accordingly in raising and lowering the skip 8, the weight thereof is experienced by one side of the mixer frame, which tends to twist the frame and depress it on that side because of the swivel connection 23. Accordingly, the present improvements have been provided for maintaining the mixer frame in normal position and for bracing same against the twisting strains aforementioned.

When the mixer is not operating, i. e., when it is in traveling position, the stabilizing means is telescoped within the housing 11. As seen in full lines in Fig. 3, in this position the members 13 and 14 are disposed within housing 11, with the plate 18 substantially flush with the end thereof. I The members 13 and 14 are held in this position by means of the removable bolt -or pin which is disposed in the registering apertures 21 and 19 of the housing 11 and threaded shank 17 respectively. In this position, it is .seen that the jack is substantially concealed and cannot be lost but at the same time is readily accessible when needed. I

When the mixer is set up for operation the bolt 30 is removed and the member 14 withdrawn from the housing 11 until hinge 15 is beyond the limits thereof and until one of the apertures 20 in member 13 is aligned with aperture '21 in the housing. The bolt 30 may now be inserted into the registering apertures for holding the parts against relative movement. Member 14 may now be folded or pivoted-about hinge 15 to a vertical position with base plate 18 disposed on the ground-or other supporting surface. Should plate 18 be out of position for rendering proper support, its position may be altered and the effective lengthof member 14 changed by adjusting the threaded shank 17 as described. In this position, the members 13 and 14 cooperate with thehousing 11 to brace and steady .the mixing frameonthat side of the frame on which the skip operates. A sturdy support is thus provided for the-mixer during the mixing operations .so that the frame may withstand the Weight of the skip and also besteadied against the vibration of the rotating drum, power unit, etc.

After the mixing operations are completed and the apparatus prepared for travel, the jack may be readily replaced in the housing 11 by merely removing bolt 30, folding member 14 about hinge 15 until it is aligned with housing 11, whence the ack may be pushed into the housing where it remains in readiness for subsequent use.

It will be noted upon reference to Fig. 1,

that bolt 30 has been omitted. While the use of this element is preferable both in the operative and inoperative position of the brace, it is evident that the improvements may perform certain functions without this member.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it is apparent that applicant has provided a simple and efficient stabilizing means for a device of the type indicated which is sturdy and reliable in operation. Further more, the improved arrangement provides a readily accessible ack which may be speedily placed in position or stored away with little manual manipulation. The device is always in a convenient location on the frame when it is desired to be used and this-provision eliminates much waste of time and labor which might be expended in searching for a block or other support toserve the purpose. Likewise, since the jack has a portion associated with the housing at all times, its position is predetermined and therefore time and labor are saved in selecting a location for the support and in erecting same in operative position.

Various modifications within the scope of the present improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the purview of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a concrete mixing device, a horizontally disposed housing, a folding jack having hinged sections disposed in said housing and partially removable therefrom, said jack and housing being cooperatively associated in all positions of said jack.

2. In a concrete mixing device, a housing, a folding jack including members hinged together and disposed in said housing and partially removable therefrom, said jack and housing being cooperatively associated in all positions of said jack and means forsecuring said jack and housing against relative movement.

3. In a concrete mixing apparatus, a stabilizing device comprising a tubular housing, a tubular stabilizing jack comprising hinged sections slidable relative to and disposed in. said housing and having cooperative relation therewith in all positions of said jack.

4. Ina concrete mixing apparatus, a stabilizing device comprising a tubular housing, a stabilizing jack comprising hinged sections slidable relative to and disposed in said housing and means for securing said jack to said housing when partially withdrawn therefrom to operative position.

5. In a concrete mixing apparatus, a stabilizing device comprising a horizontal tubular housing, rigid members hinged to one another removably secured within said housing, an adjustable base plate connected to one of said members, all constructed and arranged whereby the said member to which the said plate is connected may be removed from said housing and swung to angular position with respect to said housing, while the contiguous rigid member is disposed partially within said housin 6. In a concrete mixing device, means for stabilizing said device, a portion of said means adapted to be freely movable to and from operative position by sliding movement, said means comprising a tubular housing, a non-threaded brace disposed therein having a pair of pivotally connected memhere, one of said members being movable axially and angular-1y of said housing in its movement to and from operative position, the other of said members during such movement being slidable axially of said housing.

7. A telescoping support for a vehicle comprising a tubular housing adapted to be rigidly secured in horizontal position to a ve hicle, a brace comprising a pair of members pivotally connected and telescoped within said housing, said members being slidably movable with respect to said housing to a position whereby one of said members may be removed and swung to vertical position and the other member may remain in horizontal position within said housing.

8. A telescoping support for a vehicle comprising a tubular housing adapted to be rigidly secured in horizontal position to a vehicle, a brace comprisin a pair of members pivotally connected and telescoped within said housing, said members being slidably movable with respect to said housing to a position whereby one of said members may be removed and swung to vertical position and the other member may remain in horizontal position within said housing, and a removable pin cooperating with said housing and members for rigidly securing said parts in operative or inoperative position.

Witness my hand this 16th day of October, 1929, county of Middlesex, State of New Jerse y ARTHUR P. ROBINSON. 

